III.       Approach and Attack.
	(a) Narrative:      Lt. (jg) Balliett was on the return leg of his first sector on a regular A/S Patrol flying at 150 Kts. on course 1080T. The plane was at the base of Cumulus clouds at 1200'. The weather was very foggy and misty, with a slight drizziling rain.
	At 1220 GCT, his radioman, J.H. Finch, spotted the U/B just as it was breaking surface a few points forward of the starboard beam, bearing 1900T at a range of about one mile and a half. The U/B surfacing on a course of 2880T. or directly opposite to the plane's course. (This by the way, is the second U/B which FINCH has sighted--and he is to be commended for his alertness).
	Lt. (jg) Balliett immediately turned hard to starboard and started to run in to drop his mine. Before he could get into position, however, the U/B was surfaced enough to make an attack by mine impossible under present doctrine.
	The U/B then apparently saw the plane, because it started circling to starboard, as Lt. (jg) Balliett climbed preparatory to dropping the 500# bomb. While he was climbing he told his crew to watch to see if the U/B started to dive, so he could again make a run to drop his mine.
	Just as Lt. (jg) Balliett was about to start his bombing run, having reached an altitude of about 3000', the U/B started to submerge.
	Lt. (jg) Balliett, therefore, immediately turned toward the U/B, lowered his wheels and flaps, and skidded the plane violently so that he was able to lose altitude, without circling or picking up speed.
	By this time, the U/B was practically submerged, and Lt. (jg) Balliett continued his run directly up the U/B's track from astern. He released his mine from 150 feet at 110 knots, about 20 seconds after the conning tower disappeared. It was observed to strike the water about 100 to 150 feet ahead of the swirl.
	The U/B after sighting the plane, had continued circling to starboard for a short time, then again began a right turn. It straightened out just before it dove, into the wind on a course of 2680 T.
	ANNEX “A”
	- 1 -

 

	III. Approach and Attack. (cont'd)
	During the time the U/B was circling, it is doubted whether it fired on the plane. In fact, the pilot and crew stated that the U/B was being buffetted about to such an extent by the rough sea, that they certainly couldn't have fired accurately at the plane, if they could have manned the guns at all. Although, no oil or debris was observed as a result of this attack, about one minute and a quarter after the mine was dropped, both the radioman and gunner observed a smooth circular patch of water which was covered with foam. This patch was about 50 feet in diameter and persisted for about half a minute, in the heavy sea, and it is felt that an air bubble would not have lasted that long in the type of sea which prevailed.
	It is realized that this is not the best sort of evidence to be hoped for, but it is felt that, with the sea as rough as it was, any more positive evidence of an explosion, at a depth which this U/B had time to attain, would have been most difficult, if not impossible, to observe.
	ANNEX “A”
	- 2 -

 

	12 October 1943.
	NARRATIVE OF LT. (jg) L.S. BALLIETT, A-V(N), USNR:
	At 1220, while on the return leg of a regular A/S patrol, my radioman Finch, J.H., ARM2/c, sighted an enemy submarine surfacing about 1-1/2 miles broad on our starboard beam. This is the second submarine he has sighted while a member of my crew.
	We turned immediately toward the submarine in an attempt to deliver the attack while he was still in this partly submerged condition. However, before we could get into position for the mine release the submarine was fully surfaced making this attack impossible under the present doctrine. We then climbed in an attempt to force the submarine to submerge by dropping the 500 pound bomb. While climbing I instructed my radioman, Finch, to keep his eye on the submarine and to call out if it started to submerge. He was in the best position for this as my view of the U/B was at times obscured by the wing.
	Before reaching the push-over point, my radioman called out that the submarine was starting to dive. I dropped our wheels and flaps immediately and cut the throttle completely off. In addition to this, I slipped and skidded our plane violently so that we reached the release point about twenty (20) seconds after the conning tower had gone under. The wake of the submarine was still plainly visible. I released the mine about 150 feet ahead of the swirl from 150 feet altitude and 110 knots.
	My radioman and gunner observed the mine enter the water and start its run, observing that it made a left turn shortly after it entered the water.
	My radioman and gunner observed a circular patch of foam about 50 feet across shortly after the drop of the mine. This foam patch was on the original track of the submarine and lasted for about 30 seconds on a very rough sea.
	No strafing was done on the run in as the submarine was already submerged.
	We were relieved on station by Lt. (jg) Weigle and ordered to return to the ship.
	L.S. BALLIETT,
	Lt. (jg), USNR.

 

	It is believed that the pictures below indicate very clearly the difficulties the U/B had after the explosion of the mine. They show three separate series of what are, apparently, underwater explosions, throwing large geysers of water high into the air. They were taken as the plane circled to port, around the spot where the mine was dropped.
	The thin, elongated, wavy line that appears in every picture is believed to be the spray from the geysers being blown away by the wind; as it appears heavier and more distinct, after each new upheaval.
	The first four pictures show the results of one explosion building up to its full height. However, even then two small, new spouts can be observed on the far side of the larger ones in the second picture; and three on the near side in the fourth picture.
	The next group of six pictures shows an entirely new eruption, beginning at first with two small "cotton-balls", and gradually building up to one large geyser. Attention to 9 & 10 show what appear to be a group of air bubbles on the near side of the main explosion area.
	The third group of six pictures shows the results of another explosion, somewhat different from the other two, and perhaps, more violent. Attention in invited to the fact that this time a series of spouts appear, gradually forming another circle, ending in a comparatively large explosion.
	Although, at first, those pictures may look somewhat like the results of strafing, the turret gun taking these was locked in a “safe" position at all times, to facilitate the taking of better pictures, in as much as the submarine had already submerged. Then, too, these spouts do not appear at the rate of ten per second, which is the approximate rate of fire from this gun.
	In view of the above, it is believed that these eruptions are from the U/B, and were caused by the explosion of the mine; and that, therefore, the submarine was definitely sunk.
	Respectfully submitted, Lesley McCreath, Jr., Lieut. (jg), USNR., A.C.I. Officer, Composite Squadron NINE.

	The first three pictures are the closest ones taken of the U/B itself. They were taken as Lieutenant (jg) BALLIETT was flying into position to drop his mine. The U/B submerged before he could get pictures from any shorter range.
	The fourth picture shows the mine, just after it enteres the water and started its run, and then turning sharply to port.
	Respectfully submitted, Lesley McCreath, Jr., Lieut. (jg), USNR., A.C.I. Officer, Composite Squadron NINE.

U-402 circling to starboard. Taken as Lt. (jg) Balliett climbed into position to drop his 500 pound bomb

 

U-402, taken as Lt. (jg) Balliett climbed into position to drop his 500 pound bomb

 

U-402, taken as Lt. (jg) Balliett climbed into position to drop his 500 pound bomb

 

Splash and wake of Lt. (jg) Balliett's Mk 24 mine